Lasting memories exist of Central Park bandstand

This undated post card shows a view of the Central Park band stand, from Fourth Street. OnFrom this view, you can see the door to the “comfort station.” Post card contributed by Robert Spaun.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

The Central Park bandstand, in 2024 just a year shy of a century old, is a culmination of Hannibal ingenuity, design and craftsmanship.

Since August 1925, it has been at the center of most park events, its sustainability measured in pet shows, baby contests, political stumping, chautauqua events,  and, of course, band concerts.

The concept behind Central Park’s crowning jewel was first seriously contemplated circa 1923, at the beginning of the administration of Hannibal mayor, Morris Anderson.

During the early 1920s, it was a custom for citizens to gather for free weekly concerts in the park during the summer months. In the past, there had been a small, wooden structure located near the fountain, or temporary bandstands constructed for certain events, but no permanent structure.

Mayor Anderson, with determination to remedy this park deficit, delegated research responsibilities and resource questions, and in March 1925, a committee consisting of J.J. Caldwell, E.B. Poole, E.H. Wilson and August Kramer submitted recommendations that the city move forward with building the bandstand.

Money had been set aside in previous years for this project, and Malcolm S. Martin, architect, had been assigned to come up with appropriate design concepts. He submitted three, but two were deemed too expensive. The committee settled on the third option, at a cost in the neighborhood of $10,000.

Martin’s plans called for an octagon shaped bandstand, 28 feet across, large enough to accommodate a band of some 40 pieces.

Rather than wood, Martin recommended the bandstand be built of concrete and stucco with a red tile roof. The Hannibal Labor Press, in its March 20, 1925, edition (newspapers.com) explained that the only wood to be used would be for doors, the ceiling of the band stand and under the red tile in the roof.

A Hannibal contracting firm, consisting of Delbert C. Trowbridge (1879-1957) and C. Earl Cousins (1891-1955) with offices at 401 S. Main, was hired to build the bandstand.

It had been hoped that the structure would be in place by the July 4th, but in reality, it was mid August before construction was complete.

Comfort station

Of special interest was the architect’s designation of a “comfort station” to be constructed below the bandstand, with entrance to the east of the structure, as money became available.

The Hannibal Labor Press of Aug. 14, 1925, made note that prior to the opening of the “comfort station” in the park, visitors were required to use facilities available at City Hall across Fourth street.

Plans called for: Separate compartments … provided for men and women, as well as a store-room for the use of the park keeper.”

As the structure neared completion, the Hannibal Labor Press reported, in its August 14, 1925 edition, “An ideal location has been chosen for the bandstand, at the east side of the park, the ground sloping up toward the west to form a natural amphitheater for crowds who come to hear the concerts. The stand is finished in cream-colored, french finish stucco, with a flat clay tile roof. It is octagonal in shape, with two pillars missing to allow an unobstructed view from the front of the stand.

The Moolah Temple band was among the early concert presenters in the new bandstand, from 3:30 to 5:30 on Saturday, Oct. 24, 1925. The concert was in conjunction with the Mystic Shrine of the Moolah Temple of St. Louis meeting in Hannibal, expecting to draw 7,000 

Shriners to town.

Henry J. Falkenhainer was director of the band, and Fred Miller, a long-time Hannibal barber, was a member of the band.

Miller, a composer as well as a musician, would have two of his songs played during the concert,  one was a song written by Miller in memory of his daughter; and the other was “Falkenhainer March,” dedicated to the director of the band.

The structure, considered fire proof, was a curiosity to citizens of the era. It was suggested at one time that a cover be made to protect the bandstand during the winter months, until Malcolm S. Martin assured them that the building was designed to withstand the elements.

This photo, taken by Robert Spaun in August 2024, shows the Fourth Street side of the band stand in Central Park. The structure, designed by Malcolm S. Martin, will be 100 years old in August 2025. From this view, you can see that the door and windows to the “comfort station”have been changed over the years.

Mary Lou Montgomery retired as editor of the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post in 2014. She researches and writes narrative-style stories about the people who served as building blocks for this region’s foundation. Books available on Amazon.com by this author include but are not limited to: "The Notorious Madam Shaw," "Pioneers in Medicine from Northeast Missouri," "The Historic Murphy House, Hannibal, Mo., Circa 1870,” “Hannibal’s ‘West End,’ and the newest book, “Oakwood: West of Hannibal.” Montgomery can be reached at Montgomery.editor@yahoo.com Her collective works can be found at www.maryloumontgomery.com